'Other sources' supplying weapons in strife-torn Manipur; govt orders combing operations

Tribal groups seek more autonomy; govt says territorial integrity will remain intact

Security personnel pose with recovered weapons after the Area Domination Operations in Manipur | PTI Security personnel pose with recovered weapons after the Area Domination Operations in Manipur | PTI

Few weapons have gone missing from the near 1,000 stockpile of arms and ammunition in Kuki militant camps in Manipur raising fresh suspicion that the widespread use of bullets from unaccounted for weapons in the state in the last several days could be the handiwork of inter-state militant groups as well as foreign hand supplying weapons to stoke unrest in the state. 

The government ordered a weapons audit at the camps of the Kuki militant groups which have signed Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with the Centre and Manipur government in the wake of continuing violence in the state. Concerns were being raised that sophisticated weapons surrendered at the time of peace talks had gone missing and were being used in the clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities even as Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur and urged all communities to maintain peace and hold consultations .

The fact that only a couple of weapons are missing from the 1,000 surrendered weapons across 14 camps of nearly 30 Kuki militant groups has put the security agencies on their toes as the widespread use of bullets from unaccounted weapons could either be looted from the police armoury or mostly supplied from outside the state. 

The latter becomes a huge security challenge for the government which has been raising alarm over illegal migration from Myanmar in recent months. Senior security officials said the process of counting the arms in the militant camps is over, and except a few, all are accounted for, which indicates that the groups indulging in violence are being supplied arms from “other sources’’. 

“These sources are being investigated and security agencies are looking at all possibilities. Nothing can be ruled out at the moment,’’ said a senior official in Manipur. 

There are around 2,200 cadres in 14 camps set up in the hill districts of Manipur after the Kuki umbrella organisations—United People’s Front and Kuki National Organisation—signed SoO with the government. 

The home minister’s visit to the state made two things very clear. Sources said it has been clarified to both sides that the government will not break even an inch of land in Manipur- whose territorial integrity will remain intact. Secondly, security agencies will ensure the mindless use of arms and ammunition is stopped immediately to curb the violence and killings. 

Combing operations have begun in various districts to recover arms and looted weaponry from police armouries. The home department has written to district magistrates in Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur, Pherzawl, Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Bishnupur, Jirbam and Kangpokpi, saying that in view of the law and order situation, the army formations have been requested to conduct combing operations with the assistance of executive magistrates who are required to be physically present at that time. 

Shah met at least ten civil society organisations and women Meitei leaders in Imphal where he is learnt to have spent more than an hour understanding their concerns on May 30. However, during the interaction it was noted that there have been more casualties of Kukis, an aspect which is being examined both by the state government as well as the civil society groups, sources said. However, the involvement of militant groups in the violence remains a matter of concern for the home ministry. 

When Shah met the Kuki groups the next day, a similar message was conveyed that there can be no division of the state even as the talks continue on their demands for local self governance. As efforts double up to disarm the violent protests in the state, security officials said peace can return only if the public wants peace – a long road ahead for both the Kukis and Meiteis.   

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